Great results from repair to bumper
It's been a busy few months for the Z and I. We have certainly covered a few miles and I have even cleaned it a few times, so things are looking up. It’s not all been rosy though, and that’s where this story begins.
Runflat tyres- great in principle, not so great in practice it seems. Perhaps this particular Z4 is just unlucky, but after 16 years of driving without a single puncture, I have managed to get two in the space of 10 months in the Z. Both of them caused by large nails I have picked up somewhere - I didn't realise so many were left on the roads of London these days? A few weeks back the low pressure warning buzzer sounded and the warning light illuminated. After pulling over I discovered that the nearside rear was flat- at least it was a tyre that was due to be replaced soon anyway.
I start to phone around for a replacement, and this is where the problems start - nobody seems to stock an 18" runflat tyre, and just like the last time I have to wait a few days for one to become available.
Fortunately the PistonHeads 'shed' Merc 420se was available and I used that for a couple of days until my new tyre arrives, but what if you don't have another car? The last time I needed a tyre I waited almost a week, so this was better but still unacceptable. Maybe I am just unlucky and usually there are plenty of tyres available, or maybe it’s a real problem, either way in my opinion I’d rather have a spare wheel and just change it when needed.
While we are on the subject of tyres ( and as they have given me so much grief recently) I decided to dish out some punishment to them and make them earn their keep. The PistonHeads track day at Brands Hatch seemed the ideal opportunity, despite me having nightmares about Paddock Hill Bend it was a circuit I needed to conquer.
I'm catching him up....honest
It's strange isn't it? You drive your car every day without a second thought, you think you know it inside out and you relish that empty country lane on a sunny day so that you can have a good hoon. However, you arrive at a circuit and everything changes - at least it does for me. The anxious looks at other drivers as you think you will be the slowest out there, the assorted cars that all look nicer than yours and the imposing gravel traps all make you feel like it’s the first time you have ever driven.
I shouldn't have worried. The Z was impeccable on the track and while I wasn't the fastest out there, I wasn’t the slowest either. The Z feels fast in a straight line when on the road but seemed a little slow on the Brands straight, that aside the cornering impressed the most - it really did hang on. The brakes held their own to - I had the bug and did lap after lap without coming into the pits and they didn't let me down once, although the pedal feel was somewhat less on the way home than when driving there. The tyres were blistered though - and that is where I have respect for those that track their car regularly. For me the tyre bill means it’s a twice a year treat as my wallet just can't cope with any more than that.
Speed certainly mattered when my girlfriend was pulled over late one Friday night. She had been patiently drinking Coke while me and a group of friends drank our way through many pints. On the way home after leaving some traffic lights I told her not to change gear and leave it in second and accelerate. I was drunk, how was I to know there was a Police liveried 5 series behind. She gets pulled over and the officer says that she was doing 52 in a 40, I am trying to help with humorous drunken comments but am just annoying the policeman as he tells me to shut up. She blows zero on the breathalyser and he sends us on our way. Fortunately, he has stopped us outside a pizza takeaway so I take the opportunity to nip in and make an order. So I’d like to thank the officer who stopped us in Putney that night, thanks for not booking Sarah, thanks for putting up with me, and thanks for allowing me to get some post
I still love the red interior
A few weeks back a kind person managed to scrape the front of VXX while it was parked on the street, leaving some fairly nasty damage in the process. Rather than bother with insurance I called Chips Away who fixed it for £150. I'm very happy with the result - take a look at the pictures attached to this story as they were taken after the Chips Away fix. A top job and something I’d use again if I had to.
Other than the £150 mentioned above, after 14,000 miles and 10 months VXX the only cost has been replacing tyres. Oh, and a litre of oil a few months after taking delivery, and it's still a couple of thousand miles away from its first service. It has averaged 25 mpg according to the OBC and continues to do exactly what I ask of it. In fact it has been hard work to think of something to say, other than I love this car. But after some thought I have come up with three things that you need to know about the Z4C.
1. It tramlines so badly on rutted roads I am sure that following cars must think you are drunk. It’s a problem that seems to affect other owners too, and while it's not enough to put you off the car - you certainly need to keep two hands on the wheel more often than not.
2. You cannot see anything out of the rear view mirror- expect for the car behind providing it is no more than three inches from your rear bumper. You have to rely on the door mirrors for everything else.
3. I really can't think of anything else apart from there isn't much space to store things in the cabin - finding a home for your mobile is hard enough.
Thanks to whoever did this
So, another glowing report for old VXX then? Well yes, it’s a great car and it comes highly recommended. But after a life of swapping cars regularly, the itch is back. I want a new toy and today the search begins. I'm thinking of spending around £30K but I want two cars and I think it's possible. I want a new daily car - small, fun and fast - but I want something old too, something to fettle. I have no idea what they will be yet but in a month or so I’ll have the answer.
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